With the end of March approaching quickly, the college hockey season is coming to an end, and the NCAA tournament begins on Thursday on the networks of ESPN. The Frozen Four takes place the second weekend in April, with the national championship on April 12.
Many players involved in the proceedings will find themselves in NHL uniforms in the next few weeks, or next few years. There is no shortage of talent in this year’s tournament, and it should make for some incredible hockey and memorable moments.
With that in mind, there are some key NHL prospects to watch over the next couple of weeks, sorted by team.
Whether they are highly touted draft picks from years past, expected lottery picks this summer or late bloomers who have grabbed the attention of the scouting world, there are quite a few players who will be looking to make their mark on the tournament — and the pro ranks thereafter.
Every NCAA tournament game will be available on ESPN+. Catch the action here.
Boston College Eagles
Ryan Leonard, James Hagens, Gabe Perreault and Jacob Fowler
Boston College is loaded with talent and owns the top ranking in college hockey. The offensive engine is led by three first-round picks. Leonard, expected to sign with the Washington Capitals at the conclusion of the college season, finished tied for the Hockey East lead in points per game. He is also a Hobey Baker finalist after being named the Hockey East Player of the Year. The highly skilled forward has “do what it takes” competitiveness, with physicality, skill and the emotional toolbox to lead the Eagles. He will certainly leave his mark on this tournament, through clutch goals or tide-turning shifts.
Perreault is expected to sign with the New York Rangers at the conclusion of the season, and they can certainly use his offensive prowess. Perreault’s game is more well-rounded, as he has developed reliable playmaking ability in his time at BC. Perreault can put the puck in the net through the tightest of windows, and that kind of ability makes him a game breaker. He showed it at the World Juniors, and he has been a consistent offensive powerhouse for the Eagles, tying Leonard and Cole O’Hara (UMass) for the Hockey East lead in points per game.
Perreault’s playmaking development has made both Leonard and Hagens more dangerous and keeps defenders honest. For Boston College to win the tournament — and the Eagles are the favorite — Perreault will need to play a major role in dicing up defenders and scoring on goaltenders.
The third member of that line is 2025 lottery pick James Hagens. Ranked second in ESPN’s draft rankings, the true freshman is up for the Rookie of the Year after a point-per-game season for the top-ranked team in the nation. Hagens is a well-rounded player and has shown an ability to play a shutdown game as well as an offensive game. He protects pucks well, and constantly moves his feet to create space. He defers to his linemates more than he should, but a standout performance that showcases a dynamic playmaking ability would go a long way to cementing himself as the top forward in this year’s NHL draft class.
Not only do the Eagles have significant talent up front, their goaltender has also been one of the NCAA’s best for two seasons. Fowler (Montreal Canadiens) was nominated for the Mike Richter Award for the second straight season, with a save percentage of .940, a goals-against average of 1.64 and an NCAA-leading seven shutouts. He is the backbone of the Eagles’ roster and has shut the door in numerous key situations. Boston College is expected to go on a deep run in the Frozen Four, and Fowler will need to be a key difference-maker if the Eagles plan to be playing on Championship Saturday.
Denver University Pioneers
Zeev Buium, Jack Devine and Carter King
Buium (Minnesota Wild) has left a significant impression during his time in the NCAA, and the dynamic defenseman is looking to add to his trophy case. The Hobey Baker finalist tallied 43 points in 38 games this season, and played key roles for both Denver and the U.S. World Junior team. Buium has already won an NCAA title, and he’s looking for a second to match two gold medals at the World Juniors.
Buium will dictate the pace of play from the back end and tilt the ice in Denver’s favor, while playing a significant portion of each game. His transition game is elite, both offensively and defensively, and his skating allows him to walk the line to find lanes with ease. Denver is going to need him to be at his dazzling best to make the Frozen Four.
Jack Devine (Florida Panthers) led the nation in scoring this season, with 56 points in 41 games, and is Denver’s second Hobey Baker finalist. He drives play for the Pioneers, forcing his way to the middle of the ice and creating dangerous scoring chances. Devine will be a handful for any defender or goalie to manage at the front of the net. He generates some of the best scoring opportunities in the nation because of his quick hands and willingness to play in the dirty areas. He finds small passing lanes to generate opportunities for teammates and is a well-rounded offensive player with play-driving capability.
One of the top NCAA free agents, King will draw significant attention from scouts at this tournament. The Pioneers’ captain has been a threat all season, notching a 20-goal/40-point season. The 23-year-old brings a level of gritty physicality that is disruptive on the forecheck and at the front of the net. He’s almost always the hardest worker on the ice and is a key cog in Denver’s offensive scheme that centers around activation and free movement throughout the offensive zone.
There is potential for a fourth-line role in today’s NHL, and if King can showcase his well-rounded game, there will be more than a few teams interested in signing him.
Maine Black Bears
Albin Boija
The Swedish-born Boija is a finalist for the Mike Richter Award after posting a season that included a save percentage of .930, 1.75 goals-against average and four shutouts. He backstopped Maine to the Hockey East title and won tournament MVP in the process.
He seems to be leaning toward going back to school next season, but a standout performance in the NCAA tournament may have some NHL teams banging down his door to sign a pro contract. The 6-foot-1 goaltender is technically sound and makes critical saves at key times for his team. There is real potential for Boija to become a platoon goalie in the NHL or a quality backup. The Black Bears drew host Penn State in the first round, and while Maine is better on paper, Boija will need to be the backbone for his team to win in enemy territory.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Aiden Fink
The Nashville Predators have a good one in Fink, as the sophomore is a Hobey Baker finalist after finishing third in the NCAA in scoring. He’s an outstanding play driver with quality puck touches, plays to high-danger areas and there is little doubt that he is the offensive engine for the Nittany Lions.
He manages the puck well with good decisions and puck protection, while generating scoring chances off the rush and during offensive zone play. His transition play is notable on both sides of the puck, and is a translatable skill at the professional level. If Penn State is going to knock off the Black Bears, Fink is going to have a lot to do with it.
Connecticut Huskies
Joey Muldowney and Jake Richard
Muldowney (San Jose Sharks) had quite the season for the Huskies and landed on the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He tied the record for most hat tricks (three) in a season by a Husky and finished second in the NCAA goal-scoring race behind Ryan Leonard. The sophomore is red-hot heading into the NCAA tournament, with seven goals in his past four games, and is often the best player on the ice for the Huskies.
The sixth-rounder saw his production skyrocket this season, with an elevated role and a better release. He’s an excellent skater with speed to burn and uses quick strikes to get past defenders to create passing lanes in dangerous areas. If there’s a Husky that’s “got that dawg in him,” it is Muldowney and his team-leading six game-winning goals this season.
With 42 points in 35 games as a 20-year-old, Jake Richard (Buffalo Sabres) had an impressive season. His vision and ability to execute quality passes from anywhere on the ice is excellent. He finds players through traffic, in short and long range and hits the tape. Richard heads to the NCAA tournament with 13 points in his past six games, and he facilitates the Huskies offensive scheme with his playmaking ability. If the Huskies need a big play, count on it coming from Muldowney or Richard.
Michigan State Spartans
Trey Augustine, Isaac Howard and Karson Dorwart
Howard (Tampa Bay Lightning) led the NCAA with 1.42 points per game and finished third with 26 goals. The first-round draft pick took a non-traditional route compared to most first-round picks, opting to play a third season in college. It has paid off, with Howard named the Big Ten Player of the Year and scoring the championship winner in the Big Ten tournament.
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The chemistry between Howard and Charlie Stramel (Wild) has defined Michigan State’s season, leading the Spartans to back-to-back Big Ten titles. Howard is an elite scorer, and if Stramel can continue to find him in space, it bodes very well for the Spartans to make the Frozen Four.
Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) is a nominee for the Mike Richter Award after being named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. With a .927 save percentage, 2.02 goals-against average and three shutouts, Augustine backstopped Michigan State to its second straight conference title, and the second overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Augustine is technically sound and widely believed to be Detroit’s future in goal. The Michigan native makes key saves, shows excellent flexibility and reads the play to anticipate threats. It could come down to Augustine versus Fowler for the championship, and Augustine is more than capable of holding his own in that battle.
Dorwart is drawing attention as a free agent and should have plenty of opportunity to showcase himself over the next two weeks. Dorwart has been a consistent offensive producer for the Spartans over three seasons, and his status as a 6-foot-1 center with a fast-paced game and good playmaking ability has drawn the attention of NHL teams.
Dorwart is unlikely to be an offensive producer at the NHL level, but his playmaking and awareness are translatable and lead to him becoming an effective transition checker. The Spartans need scoring from their secondary options to have success in the tournament, and Dorwart can play a key role and boost his status as a free agent.
Cornell Big Red
Ondrej Psenicka and Dalton Bancroft
Cornell has two players that scouts will be watching closely, as both are free agents drawing significant interest.
Psenicka stands out for a few reasons, starting with his 6-foot-6 height. The 24-year-old Czech uses his size to his advantage, leaning on defenders, bullying his way to the middle of the ice and winning battles. He lacks flashy offensive talent but is positionally sound, makes quality defensive plays and wreaks havoc at the net front. NHL clubs love big guys who are reliable and will do the dirty work, so it is easy to see why teams think Psenicka could be a reasonable bet to play bottom-six NHL minutes in the next few seasons.
Bancroft is one of the more interesting players to watch at the tournament. There are times where Bancroft looks dominant, beating defenders with ease, creating chances and catching goalies by surprise with an NHL-quality release, which is sure to bring fans out of their seats. There are questions as to whether he plays with enough pace to score at the professional level, but if he doesn’t, there is a path to being a bottom-six, defensive checking winger who chips in occasionally on offense.
Boston University Terriers
Quinn Hutson, Cole Hutson and Cole Eiserman
The Hutson brothers are having quite the season, between Lane’s rookie season in Montreal and the brilliant seasons of Quinn and Cole at BU.
Cole (Capitals) is a dynamic offensive defenseman, who tallied 40 points in 35 games as a freshman. His agility and balance routinely allow him to send opponents in the wrong direction, create open space and make him a menace to deal with at the top of the offensive zone. Cole was one of the best, if not the best, defensemen in the NCAA this season, and he should be a standout player for BU in the tournament.
Quinn, the eldest of the Hutson brothers and the only forward, led BU in scoring this season with 47 points in 34 games. A goal scorer by trade, the eldest Hutson shows tremendous chemistry with his brother and is always moving to find the best areas to generate scoring opportunities. He plays a give-and-go style, relying on quick possessions and playing off his teammates. This speaks to his anticipation and ability to read the game. There is quality NHL upside to Quinn’s game, and he is a free agent. Showcasing his capabilities by putting the puck in the net a few times at the tournament will certainly grab the attention of NHL managers and scouts.
New York Islanders prospect Eiserman has developed nicely this season, with 21 goals in 35 games, and he led the nation with 10 power-play goals. Eiserman’s shot has been his calling card for a number of years, and there is no reason to believe that it will be any different in the tournament. Eiserman’s game lacks well-roundedness, but he’s a game breaker with his goal-scoring ability. That was on full display at the World Juniors, and Boston University is going to need Eiserman to beat goaltenders early and often to have a chance at making the Frozen Four.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Riley Thompson
Fontaine (Predators) notched his first point-per-game campaign in his fifth NCAA season, his first with Ohio State after four at Northeastern. He notched career highs in goals and assists, and Nashville retains his signing rights until he can become a free agent in August.
Fontaine led the Buckeyes in scoring during a season that saw them lose the Big 10 championship game in double overtime to Michigan State. He comes into the tournament with three goals on 11 shots in his past two games. He has been a consistent shooter for the Buckeyes, finishing second on the team with 105 in 39 games. The 24-year-old is small, which works against him in today’s NHL, but his work rate, speed and ability to get shots off interest scouts for an organizational depth role (if he doesn’t sign with Nashville).
Thompson is a free agent drawing significant attention and stands out because of his 6-foot-4 frame. The 22-year-old forward tallied 17 goals and 33 points in 39 games after transferring from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. What he lacks in flash, he makes up for in effectiveness. He plays off his teammates well, understands spacing, is efficient with his puck movement and consistently creates scoring chances.
Scouts speak highly of his off-puck play, defensive positioning and reads, leading some to believe he’ll be an effective NHL player. He tracks back through the middle, takes away passing lanes and doesn’t chase physicality. The maturity of his game could see him develop into a quality defensive forward, providing organizational depth in the NHL.
UMass Minutemen
Cole O’Hara, Aydar Suniev and Michael Hrabal
UMass has been a quality program for quite a while, and have more than a few players of interest in the tournament. Their top three centers — Lucas Mercuri (Carolina Hurricanes), Dans Locmelis (Boston Bruins) and Kenny Connors (Los Angeles Kings) — are as deep as it comes in the NCAA, with quality skill and reliability.
O’Hara (Predators) led Hockey East in scoring and ought to have been a Hobey Baker finalist with 22 goals and 51 points in 38 games. O’Hara plays both sides of the puck well as an offensive driver and quality penalty killer. He is an all-situations player that shifts momentum into his team’s favor. The right winger is impactful in many areas of the ice, and the Predators would do well to convince him to sign at the conclusion of the season. O’Hara can turn the tide of a game on his own and was a rising star in college hockey. Teams are going to have their hands full with his speed, rush attacks and defensive prowess that turns into offense quicker than any other player in college hockey. Whether it is offensively or defensively, expect O’Hara to play a key role for UMass.
Suniev (Calgary Flames) had a great sophomore season, notching 18 goals and 36 points in 33 games. His playmaking has always been good and his shooting developed nicely this season, leading to a 50% increase in goals. Suniev led UMass with 116 shots and finished tied for second in goals on the team. He protects the puck well, is difficult to pin and creates scoring chances with very little space. His vision and ability to execute offensive plays will be key in the first matchup against Minnesota.
Hrabal (Utah Hockey Club) has been excellent in his second season as the starter, posting a .926 save percentage and 2.33 goals-against average with two shutouts. The 20-year-old has provided quality starts on a consistent basis and is a key pillar of UMass’ success. Hrabal’s size (6-foot-7) allows him to see over screens, making it very difficult to “take away his eyes.” He covers the bottom of the net well with his length and is able to seal vulnerable areas of the net with ease. If UMass is going to make a run, Hrabal will need to be at his puck-stopping best.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Jimmy Snuggerud, Matthew Wood and Sam Rinzel
Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues) outscored his closest teammate by 11 points this season, and led Minnesota with 22 goals and 49 points in 39 games. A finalist for the Hobey Baker, the first-rounder bounced back after a down season in his sophomore campaign and is expected be a middle-six NHL scoring winger. He reads the game and anticipates the play well, allowing him to capitalize on open space and create scoring opportunities for his line.
He’s a dual-threat player who can reliably score and set up teammates, making him difficult to defend. He’ll need to be a standout player for Minnesota if the team hopes to go on a deep run.
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Wood (Predators) transferred from Connecticut to Minnesota, and his production increased dramatically. The 6-foot-4 right winger is a goal scorer who creates opportunities by protecting pucks well and getting to the net at the right time. He’s learning to use his body to more effectively shield defenders and allow him to take advantage of his excellent shot. He’s not the powerful play driver you think someone his size would be, favoring a more methodical approach that allows him to lurk and arrive at the right time to get a quality shot on goal.
Rinzel (Chicago Blackhawks) had quite the season at Minnesota, a program that has developed quite a few quality defensemen over the past few years. His game is more refined than the raw potential he was drafted with, and the big, right-handed defender tallied 31 points this season. His skating has always been top-quality and has allowed him to develop into one of the premier NCAA transition defenders. He reads the play well and understands how to utilize his skill to affect the outcome of a play. There is a real chance Rinzel becomes a second pairing defenseman in the NHL by the time he’s 24.
Minnesota leans on Rinzel and Ryan Chesley (Capitals) to anchor their back end, and both consistently tilt the ice in Minnesota’s favor. They’ll need to play effectively and often if Minnesota is going to make a run to the Frozen Four.
Minnesota State Mavericks
Alex Tracy
After being named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year, Tracy found himself on the short list for the Hobey Baker and a nominee for the Mike Richter Award as well. A free agent, Tracy has cemented himself as one of the NCAA’s best goaltenders.
In three seasons at Minnesota State, his workload increased season over season, and his performance flourished. The 23-year-old finished with a .945 save percentage, a goals-against average of 1.41 and five shutouts. The Mavericks lack the star power that other schools bring to the tournament, and they will need to rely on Tracy to give them a chance at beating the likes of Western Michigan, Massachusetts or Minnesota in their regional. Tracy did not give up more than three goals in a regular-season game in 2024-25, a trend he will need to continue through the tournament.
Western Michigan Broncos
Alex Bump
It has been fun to watch Bump’s development trajectory. With 23 goals and 46 points in 38 games, he is the premier offensive player for Western Michigan. Generating a whopping 225 shots on goal this season, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect has a knack for generating scoring chances and keeping Western Michigan in the offensive zone while he’s on the ice.
Bump is excellent in transition, showcasing his quick hands, deception and ability to change pace to burn defenders. His release is top-notch, and he catches goaltenders by surprise on multiple occasions each night. Expect Bump to drive the play forward for Western Michigan and be their key marksman throughout the tournament. There’s real potential for Bump to become a middle-six NHL scorer, and Philadelphia should be very excited about him.
